Kraken Sports is now shipping the Hydra 10000 WRGBU. Like the Abyss 10000, released last year, the new video light boasts an output of 10,000 lumens in a soft, wide beam. The COB LED has a color rendering index of 90 and color temperature of 5600K. Depth-rated to 330 feet (100 meters), the light produces a 120-degree beam, with a pair of lights perfectly suited to illuminating big animals and reefscapes.
In addition to the main white light output with its 11 power levels, the Hydra offers various other modes, as indicated by “WRGBU” in the model name: “R” for red, “G” for green, “B” for blue, and “U” for ultraviolet. The red mode assists with focusing when shooting skittish critters, while the UV mode is for capturing fluorescence when used in conjunction with yellow barrier filters for your lens and mask. Other modes include Manual RGB, Automatic RGB, Burst, and SOS.
Control is provided via a dial and single push button, but the light can also be hooked up to Kraken’s KR-RC02 remote control via fiber-optic cable, giving full control over the light from one spot on your rig. The light runs on three 21700 Li-ion batteries, which provide a runtime of around an hour at 80% power, according to Kraken. The light can be charged via USB-C in around three hours.
The Kraken Hydra 10000 WRGBU video light is available now from retailers such as Backscatter, priced at $600.
When purchasing underwater photography equipment like the products mentioned in this article, please support DPG by supporting our retail partner—Backscatter.com.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Hydra 10000 WRGBU – Professional Underwater Video Flood Light
10,000 lumens continuous output • 120° soft flood beam • CRI ~90 • Depth rated to 100 m
When you need even coverage, accurate color, and fast, usable controls on every dive, the Hydra 10000 delivers. Designed and manufactured by Kraken Sports, this compact flood light gives photographers and videographers the brightness and flexibility they need for reef panoramas, macro work, and fluorescence night dives.
Key Features
Wide, even flood: 120° beam eliminates hotspots for smooth wide-angle illumination.
Consistent, sustained output: The 10,000 lumen spec is the working output—what the light produces through a full dive, not a peak it hits for the first few minutes before stepping down. We engineer the battery and drive circuit to maintain consistent brightness from start to finish, because your exposure shouldn’t change mid-shot.
WRGBU + UV modes: White, Red, Green, Blue, UV & RGB—use UV to reveal coral fluorescence.
Burst mode—fiber-optic triggered: Sync via fiber optic cable to your camera’s built-in flash and the light fires a quick, bright pulse timed to your shutter. Recycle is fast. The difference from a dedicated strobe isn’t recycle speed—it’s flash duration. A xenon strobe fires in microseconds, which is what actually freezes motion. Burst mode fires longer than that, so very fast-moving subjects won’t be frozen as sharply. For macro work on slower subjects—nudibranchs, cleaning stations, coral detail—it works well and gives you a meaningful brightness spike over continuous light alone.
CRI ~90: Colors look the way they actually are—reds, oranges, and skin tones reproduce faithfully instead of washing out to the greenish cast common with lower-CRI LEDs. If you’ve ever had to color-correct underwater footage for hours, you know exactly why this matters.
Intuitive controls: Push-button + dial interface for quick adjustments, even with gloves.
Fast USB-C charging: USB-C PD recharge keeps you on the water—~3 hours to full charge.
Why Choose the Hydra 10000?
The Hydra 10000 was engineered for creators who want consistent, camera-friendly light in a single, travel-friendly package. We focused on natural color reproduction, wide coverage, and an interface that works while diving. As the manufacturer, Kraken Sports provides product support, replacement parts, and firmware updates to authorized customers and partner dealers.
Use Cases & Pro Tips
Wide-angle / reef video: Use White mode at medium power to preserve battery while keeping color integrity across the frame.
Macro photography: Trigger burst via fiber-optic cable to get a brightness spike timed to your shutter. Works best on slower-moving subjects where flash duration isn’t a limiting factor.
Fluorescence dives: Switch to UV mode and use a yellow filter on your lens for dramatic fluorescence shots.
Night dives: Use Red mode for safe focusing without disturbing nocturnal creatures.
FAQ & Maintenance
Q: How do I care for the O-rings?
A: Rinse with fresh water after each dive, dry thoroughly, inspect for nicks, and apply a thin coat of silicone grease monthly.
Q: Can I use third-party batteries?
A: Use only recommended 21700 cells that meet the current rating and safety specs. Using non-recommended batteries may void the warranty.
Q: What accessories are available?
A: KR-RC02 Remote, KR-FB04 float, spare O-ring kit, and mounting adapters are available from Kraken Sports.
Technical Specifications
Output
10,000 lm continuous / 12,000 lm burst
Beam angle
120° soft flood
Color temperature
5,600 K (approx.)
Color fidelity
CRI ~90
Modes
White / Red / Green / Blue / UV / RGB / Disco Mode / Burst / SOS
Power levels
11-step dimming (0–100%)
Runtime
~60 min @ ~8,000 lm / ~35 min @ 10,000 lm
Battery
3 × 21700 cells (user-replaceable)
Charging
USB-C PD, ~3 hours
Depth rating
100 m / 330 ft
Weight
740 g (land) / 350 g (water)
Mounting
1″ ball, YS mount included
Interface
Push-button + dial